hey all, ive got a 84 trans am with a 305 in it. i had 2 spun rod bearings and replaced all 8 while i was in there. im not a mechanic but i tried to clean up the crank where the spun 2 were at the best i could. i havent got it fired up yet but im not confident that my rod bearing job will hold, the spun 2 that is. so im looking at getting a new engine. a 350. for not more then 1500$. any opinions of engines sold at say autozone. they have some for 1200 and up. i need to go get specs but other then that donno. gmpartsdirect seems a little high for my price range. any advice is much appreciated, thanks.

 

I'd say look at the junkyard or in the newspaper/auto trader. I found a very healthy 350 out of a '79 Z28 for about $400 usd.

Just gotta know where to look really. If you want a new engine though, thats a pretty tight budget. Probably won't find much in the way of high performance for less than 2,000

 

well i talked to kragen and they have someone that will build to specs, 1,00 for a stock 350 donno horses, 2250 for a 350 dyno tested at 350 horses. as far as pullin an engine from a yard or what not, i wouldnt really know how to go about identifying whether its a good engine or not, and im not looking to rebuild. i dont have the means to rebuild and bore an engine myself. thats why i'd rather get something i can just drop in. ive got a couple weeks to figure it out, id love to find a good used engine for 500 bucks but donno that i would be able to. thanks for the advice

 

well i have been scowering the forums and i keep seeing refrences that 305 heads are pretty nice. does that apply to my 84 305 LG4 engine. if so might i do well to just buy a bottom block and keep my heads. im just trying to explore all possibilities to get the most for my money. i can see myself opening my wallet a little wider if its worthe it. i plan on keeping the car indefinetly so would like to do something worthewhile

 

Yup, LG4 heads are among the good ones if the casting number is 416 or 601. If its original, its probably 416.

 

The correct term for that is short block.
It's a matter of luck whether you'd be able to find a good engine for $1000... Your chances are better if you're looking for a shortblock.
It would be better still if you had a crank and block that could be used for a core or for rebuilding.
I have some extra parts that I could sell you for a reasonable price, since you're in Sac and I'm in Eureka.
You can PM me if it seems like that might work out.
I even have a good running 350 that I'd be willing to part with. It's out of a motorhome tho (lo performance).

 

i would have to say for 1500$ you could get a realy nice lt1 to drop into your car. look on ebay for a local low milage lt1. i have seens some over on camaroz28.com go complete for 750 with a tranny.

 

I've tried to tell people before-----I can get you a pulled Lt-1 out of an old cop cruiser for about $500. They have the entire cars for sale as well. I'm around Philly. Let me know if you want the number.

 

damn dude...i'd like one of those lt 1's.....for that price...whats the miles like???...

i got a 2wd truck that would love to have one of those...

here's the pic of it....

email me

klambert@cebridge.net

thanks
-bigarmzz-

 

Those engines are usually beat to hell and back. Besides, they are the iron headed version, and make around 25HP less than the F and Y body LT1.

 

yea they are iron headed not realy a big deal if you dont mind the weight. however the iron heads flow better than the lt1 alum heads. but for the price even if it was beat its still a cheap lt1.

 

Are those the baby LT1's or the iron headed version only? If its just the roadmaster iron headed LT1, grab that puppy for $500, buy the aluminum heads for $200 and put the rest into a new cam, springs and rocker arms and you got yourself a nice 350, fuel injected, for only $900-1000.